The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) has been conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) since December 2018. Shutterstock
Aspire to be an assistant professor or junior research fellow? Get ready to appear for the NET (National Eligibility Test) 2022 to be conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in June.
The examination faced major disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exam that used to be conducted twice a year will be merged this year. Both the December 2021 and June 2022 session exams will be held together in June 2022.
While you keep a lookout for the exam dates, Edugraph brings to you all the important information that you need to know:
What is UGC NET?
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) has been conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) since December 2018. The exam was earlier conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The Computer Based Test (CBT) is conducted twice every year, once in June and once in December.
Colleges and universities across India recruit as assistant professors or grant junior research fellowships (JRF) based on UGC NET scores.
Important dates
The exact dates for UGC NET June 2022 are yet to be announced by the NTA. Here is the estimated timeline for the June cycle:
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria depend primarily on educational qualifications of the candidates:
Age Limit
There is no age limit for the post of assistant professor and lecturership. But candidates applying to JRF must be less than 31 if male and less than 36 if female. Candidates with research experience can gain a relaxation of up to 5 years.
Application Form
The application form will be available on the UGC NET website between April and the first week of May. Candidates will have to fill out the form with relevant information. Here are the steps to follow:
Form correction
Applicants will be allowed to make corrections to be the application forms. Candidates have to sign in to the portal using their application number and password to view and make the changes.
Application Fees
The application fees for UGC NET 2022 are:
Syllabus
The syllabus for UGC NET depends on the course that the candidate has selected. The paper usually consists of topics that the candidate studied at their undergraduate (UG) and PG levels. Separate syllabi for each of the courses are available on the UGC and NET websites.
Click here for the subject-wise syllabus list
Exam pattern and marking scheme
Here are the details of UGC NET 2022 as shared by the NTA:
Admit card
The date for release of admit card is yet to be announced. It is expected to be released after the form correction window is closed in May. Once the admit card is released on the NET website, candidates can view the admit card and download them. The admit cards will contain important details of the candidates along with the allotted exam centre. There will be a short window for admit card corrections as well.
Examination centres
It is estimated that UGC NET 2022 will have exam centres in more than 220 cities across the country. While filling out the application form, candidates will have to select three exam centres of their choice. They will be assigned the exam centre based on their preference and other factors. Once allotted, changes to the exam centres cannot be made.
Answer key
The answer key is expected to be released in June. The provisional answer key will be released for the candidates to check. Candidates can raise objections to the provisional answer key.
The final answer key will be released on the NET website shortly after the correction window is closed. Candidates cannot ask for corrections to the final answer key.
Result and Cut-off
The result will be based on the final answer key. Candidates can expect the result to be out in the last week of June. The results will be available on the NET website. Candidates will not be sent their results individually by any authority. They can sign in using their application number to view and download the results.
The minimum cut-off for general category candidates is 40% and for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third gender 35%. The cut-off will depend on factors such as the level of examination and the number of registered candidates for an assistant professorship, lecturer-ship and JRF.
Job position
The UGC NET marks are important for those looking to work at colleges and universities as well as in public sector undertakings (PSU) in fields like finance, management, corporate communications, human resources and research & development.
Assistant professors can earn a salary of up to Rs 9 lakh per annum (LPA) while professors can earn upwards of Rs 11 LPA along with benefits.